A new study has shown just how much driving for more than two hours a day impacts generally on the intelligence of drivers.
If you’ve ever been concerned about how
less intelligent you feel, look no further than how much time you spend
behind the wheel, The Independent reports.
This is because a new study has suggested that driving for more than two hours in a day is capable of making you a dullard!
Researchers investigating how sedentary
behaviour affects brainpower found that IQ scores fell faster in
middle-aged subjects who drove long distances every day.
“This research suggests that it is bad for your brain, too, perhaps because your mind is less active in those hours.”
The researchers analysed the lifestyles
of more than 500,000 Britons aged between 37 and 73 over five years,
during which they took intelligence and memory tests.
The 93,000 people who drove more than
two to three hours a day typically had lower brainpower at the start of
the study, which kept on declining throughout, at a faster rate than
those who did little or no driving, The Independent reports.
“Cognitive decline is measurable over five years because it can happen fast in middle-aged and older people.
“This is associated with lifestyle factors such as smoking and bad diet — and now with time spent driving,”Bakrania said.
However, Bakrania’s results suggested that using a computer to work or play games increased brain function.
“Cognitive skills were boosted in people who used computers up to two to three hours a day,” he said.
“When watching TV, your brain is less active; but using a computer is stimulating.”
While other studies suggest cognitive
decline is linked to physical inactivity, Mr Bakrania suggested other
factors may play a role.
He said: “Driving causes stress and fatigue, with studies showing the links between them and cognitive decline.”
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